Bunk beds and Caleb x 2

The boys finally got the bunk beds they've been wanting from Ikea! Caleb is on the top and Zion is on the bottom, which seems to be an arrangement they worked out awhile ago.

Last month we went to the ELCA Summer Missionary Conference in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Caleb made fast friends with another Caleb, whose parents are missionaries in El Salvador. When the conference was over, we were surprised to learn that Caleb J. and his family were coming to Chicago for a week...and would be staying with our upstairs neighbors!
The two Calebs (and sometimes Zion) had a fantastic week together. We were sad to see them go, but Caleb is excited to have a pen pal in El Salvador!

A Patchwork of Memories

This week I accomplished one of my summer goals: I finished the two quilts I was making for Caleb and Zion. They are scrap quilts, made mostly of pieces of fabric inherited from Grandma Goldie. She taught me to quilt, and also passed on her values of saving EVERYTHING and making something out of nothing!

I think they turned out so well! They are the same pattern and the same fabrics, but placed differently. The pattern is called "Charm Star." The quilts have different backing fabrics, so it will be easy for the boys to tell them apart.
I think Grandma Goldie would be proud! Tomorrow would be her 91st birthday. Happy Birthday, Grandma!
Caleb and Zion played in my piano recital on Monday night, June 4th. They did very well, as usual! It was so nice to have them as a part of this recital, which very well may be my last for quite awhile. I had 16 students playing, representing several countries (Burma, Kenya, Tanzania, Liberia, Japan, and the US!)
Did you know I've taught piano lessons for 17 years--ever since I was 17 years old?? Geez, I feel old.
Today was our last day at Augustana Lutheran Church and Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Chicago. Unfortunately, I don't have many good pictures from the day. The cake was good!! It was such a difficult day, that I don't really know how to put it into words. I guess I would say we are feeling excited about where we are headed, but sad to be leaving such a wonderful ministry. It also feels weird to be "leaving" a community and yet still be living down the street.

One final note: 2 days of school left, and only 3 days until vacation!! YIPPEE!!

Our Weekend

I thought you would all enjoy this street sign that we saw while walking around Grant Park yesterday!

Our weekend began with a Saturday garage sale to benefit Lutheran Campus Ministry. As you can see, Robert brought home a nice selection of stylish accesories.

The campus ministry did earn over $300, which is pretty good considering it was a rainy day, and the sale had to be moved inside.

Sunday afternoon was GORGEOUS day, so we decided to forgo the Sunday afternoon nap and take a walk instead. Zion is wearing his "new" dragon shirt, which he bought at the garage sale, wore all day, slept in, wore UNDER his church clothes, and then slept in the next night...I practically had to peel it off of him Monday morning. Here he is, practicing his baton twirling (I think he might be a drum major in training!)

We went to the Museum of Science and Industry (LOVE that membership!) and then went on to the lake. The water is still VERY cold!!

On Monday we parked by the Shedd Aquarium (our secret cheap parking place downtown) and walked over to the Eyes Wide Open exhibit in Grant Park.

It was very sobering to see all of these boots, representing the young men and women we've lost in the war in Iraq. Each pair of boots had a name, age, state, and often a newspaper clipping or letter from family attached. It is impossible to capture the scope of this exhibit in a picture. The boots just went on and on, as far as the eye could see.
I wish I could say these soldiers died for a good cause. I'm proud of their sacrifice and the sacrifice their families have made...but I honestly think they were sent to war on a pack of lies.

Pray for Peace!

Mother's Day, Cotton Candy, and Rosebushes

Happy Mother's Day to me! May 13 was the first Sunday I was able to worship at Augustana with Robert and the kids for the whole year, so that was a great Mother's Day gift. The boys were nice enough to let me dress them up and take pictures.
Saturday night was my Mother's Day dinner at Buca di Beppo. If you haven't been there, it's really a hoot. Plus, I knew the whole family would eat there (spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, salad...YUM!) I love this picture with spaghetti sauce on Zion's face!
Don't these two look more like each other every day???
This last Saturday was a carnival of sorts on the University of Chicago campus. We stood in long lines, behind college students, to jump in bouncy houses. Lots of fun for the parents, as you can imagine. Caleb loved his free cotton candy.
Zion was brave enough to try it for the first time since the famous pancake breakfast/cotton candy incident a few summers ago! Unfortunately, he may be turned off from cotton candy forever. Shortly after this picture, he handed it to Papa and said "I don't like it!"

(he also mentioned he didn't like this "white" cotton candy...thanks to Grandpa Bill for color blindness!!)

Today, Zion's kindergarten class planted two rosebushes in the school garden. He was very excited to help out. Of course, digging up worms was an important part of the day. At one point, he had 6 worms and a roly poly in his hands. Then we had pizza. EEEWW!

Here's one attempt at a class picture. Miss Fragner is in the middle, and the taching assistant (Miss H) is on the left. Zion's little "girlfriend" Alex is in the green shirt in the front row.

Another Composer in the Family

Zion decided to write a song for his friend, Alexandra (Alex) Smith! Her birthday party is today, so he has entitled it "The Party."As you can see, he used several reference materials and has done several copies before he got to the final draft. I did the staff lines on this copy because he was unhappy with his uneven ones...

I have to say, though, that he writes more neatly than many college music majors I know!!

It's good to know the Ballenger tradition continues! I tried to get a video of him playing the song, but he says "It's not finished yet" so I'm not allowed to tape him. I'll keep working on that!

Papa's New Spectacles

Very nice! Caleb said "You look a lot smarter, Dad."
Way cool detailing on the side!

Caleb's Super Fun Day Care

Caleb has discovered a new talent...taking care of little kids! He is the new favorite "big kid" on the playground. He's always the one asked to push the swing. He especially likes playing with Kato's little sister, Moe.
Moe has a great little laugh! She's always yelling "Caleb, push me!"
Caleb was so encouraged by this new skill that he decided he is opening a day care this summer. He's made up signs that say "Caleb's Super Fun Day Care" and plans to charge $5 a day. We've been talking to him about the wisdom of this plan...we think he's a little young to be babysitting! But he definitely has an entrepreneurial spirit. And SOMEONE in the family needs to make some money...

Here's one of his posters! Notice he upped the price when he added his "partner", Ruth. I love how the first customers get a discount!

Superfrog and the Teddy Bear Picnic

Wow, it's been awhile since I've updated! Last month, all the kindergartners had a "Teddy Bear Picnic" at Ray School. The kids wore their pajamas (and some parents!) and brought a favorite stuffed animal. We all ate a picnic dinner in the cafteria. Zion brought Superfrog, and dressed to match...
As you can see, Zion had a great time!
Zion, Thomas, and Darwin
This is Zion's BEST BUDDY, Julian L. He is ALWAYS referred to as "Julian L.", because there is also a Julian P. in their class! Who would have thought Julian would be one of those names you would have multiples of in class? Caleb has a Julian in his class, too. Actually, there is even another Zion at Ray School, in 1st grade.

A great time was had by all! The best part was coming home and knowing Zion was already dressed for bed. Maybe we should just send him to school in pajamas every day!

A Tale of Two Easters

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

Happy Easter, everyone! A family with two pastors and two churches is not going to have a relaxing Easter weekend. This may seem obvious, but this was the first year we actually lived it.

Here we have a few attempts at an Easter picture of the boys. This is not easy these days! Caleb has decided he doesn't "like" his smile, so it is hard to coax one out of him. I did get a BIG one when he woke up this morning and saw some candy had been left for him. The outfits are from Mormor, and hopefully Caleb's legs won't grow too much before next week. He needs to wear this to Amma's wedding! Saturday was practice for Bethany's Easter pageant. Every church has its own traditions. Bethany makes 150 Easter baskets for the kids. Here they are, ready to be filled.
Caleb and his buddy Micah had fun waiting for the egg hunt. Bethany women had over 1,000 plastic eggs and many dozens of the hard-boiled variety hidden across the churchyard. This was one of the fastest egg hunts ever, since Chicago was a balmy 33 degrees yesterday!



The Campus Ministry pancake breakfast at Augustana got off to a rough start, when a donated electric griddle kept messing up the circuits in the church. Here are some campus ministry folk with Robert, making pancakes in the hallway of the church (which was on a different fuse!)

Pancake breakfast at Augustana. Robert says they had $520 in the pot at the end. Not bad, since we spent just $120 for all the food! You've got to love Moo and Oink for cheap eats.

Then it was off to Bethany for more Easter breakfast. Bethany never does anything in an understated way. I was skeptical about the $7 cost for this breakfast, until I saw it. Pancakes and sausages were accompanied by biscuits and gravy, packs of sugary cereal, fresh strawberries and cream, egg casserole, and much more...Wow! This put Augustana's breakfast to shame. BUT...I haven't heard if this one actually makes any money.

Following the breakfast was the Easter pageant. The kids did so well! Everyone was dressed to the nines, and all the girls had new braids. The boy in the red suit is another Caleb!

I hope you all had a blessed Easter! We might have complained about the busy schedule this week, but we feel so lucky to have TWO church homes. We certainly have not been short of opportunities to praise God for sending his Son, Jesus, to die for us.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!